News in brief | January 2017

Avantium acquires the assets of Liquid Light: Avantium has acquired the assets of Liquid Light Inc., a renowned developer of electrochemical processes. Liquid Light has developed proprietary process technology to make major chemicals from low-cost, abundant carbon dioxide (CO2). The acquisition combines the technologies of both companies to develop a electro-catalysis platform and to commercialize new process technologies using CO2 as feedstock to produce sustainable chemicals and materials.

Floreon developes new additive for PLA: UK-based technical company Floreon has developed a high-performance bioplastic compound that is added to PLA to make it less brittle and four times tougher, opening up new application possibilities. Andrew Gill, Floreon’s technical director, commented: “We are trying to get this bioplastic into the market for rigid packaging applications and further down the line for durable applications as well.” To date, Floreon has produced about 227 t of the material and is applying for patents worldwide to cover its unique formulation.

Novamont becomes a Core Partner of the New Plastics Economy initiative: Novamont has joined the New Plastics Economy as the initiative’s sixth Core Partner, and a group of more than 40 stakeholders led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which are collaborating to rethink and redesign global plastics packaging systems. Novamont brings to the initiative its leading expertise in the sector of bioplastics, and in the development of bio-based and biodegradable products obtained through the integration of chemistry, environment and agriculture, which contribute to the biological cycle within a circular economy.

GreenPremium prices for bio-based products: In the framework of the European project BIOFOREVER, German-based nova-Institute is conducting a number of surveys on GreenPremium prices for bio-based products and related questions on different generations of bio-based feedstock and different product segments. Initial studies in 2013 and 2016 confirmed that there still is a price premium for bio-based plastics. A new study in 2017 aims to find out whether this still holds true, if there is a high willingness to pay the premium, and wether there are differences depending on the different biomass feedstock. You can participate in the survey here.

European Bioplastics is the association representing the interests of the bioplastics industry along the entire value chain in Europe. Its members produce, refine, and distribute bioplastics, i.e. plastics that are either biobased, biodegradable, or both. More information is available at www.european-bioplastics.org.